• Updates to our CSA 
• A note to our $500-above Members
• Looking Ahead: Crop Plan & What We're Looking Forward To
   

Checking your CSA Member Balance is easy! 

All you need is the email sent to you when it was originally issued. 
Tip: search "CSA Card" in your email 

Don't see it?
We can resend it to you. Reach out to meghan@vibrant.farm!

 

Once you open the email, click to view the card.

Your active CSA Balance will be listed beneath the card image. 

Questions? Reach out! 
meghan@vibrant.farm

You heard it right... Vibrant Farm is currently hiring for the 2022 season! While we will have more positions opening in the rapidly approaching summer months, we currently have 3 positions opening in the spring of 2022. The listings are below:

 

About Us:
We are a young business growing our motivated and inspiring crew. Our team is coming off a successful first season and have created great momentum for our four-season, year-round vegetable farm. Customers include neighbors & local families, restaurants, grocery stores, and other local food businesses. This position is anticipated to be a long term addition to our hardworking crew.

This position will fit into our weekly rhythm. We start our days with harvest when produce is at its prime. Generally all hands are on deck to complete the daily harvest. After harvest, produce is documented and processed prior to storage. Orders placed throughout the week are packed on specific fulmitment days for delivery, pickup, or market.

Some aspects of this job will be in a group setting while others may be solo. Additionally, this is physical and focused work. Having said that, the fun of a sunrise pea patch harvest and blabberfest with the other farmers is hard to beat!



Job Title:
Harvest, Wash, & Pack Crew


Job Summary:
Starting 3 days/week (Tues, Wed, & Friday preferred)
Flexible hours available
Increased hours & days/week available during April-November
Potential for year-round employment


Responsibilities & Duties:
Be on time
Assist harvest crew picking and cutting diverse produce
Receive, process, & package fresh produce as it comes from the fields & greenhouses
Help pack produce for markets, deliveries, & online orders
This is hands-on work in a quick environment


Qualifications:
Good with numbers, weights, conversions, documentation
Ability to receive and understand training and procedures
No agricultural experience necessary
Previous hands-on work experience is helpful


Pay & Benefits:
Starting $16/hr
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INTERESTED?
PLEASE FILL OUT THIS SURVEY (https://us17.list-manage.com/survey?u=bf89878ff02ceef74cc87bd95&id=a34bf9d61f&attribution=false) AND CONTACT [Email hidden] WITH INTRODUCTIONS AND YOUR RESUME AND/OR LETTER OF INTEREST IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH US.

 

-------------------------------------

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Job Title: 
Sales Crew

 

Job Summary:
Part Time work
Tues, Wed & Thursday preferred 
Increased hours & days per week in April-November

 

Responsibilities & Duties:
Communicate produce availability & pricing on a weekly basis with customers at the Litchfield Farmers Market
Assist in the set up & tear down of the market booth 

 

Qualifications:
Good with communication and math
No agricultural experience necessary 
Previous experience in sales preferred
Enthusiastic, positive, consistent

 

Pay & Benefits:
Starting $16/hr
Share in Farmer Gleanings

 

This crispy Asian-style refrigerated pickle combination is a wonderful addition to sandwiches and salads. This also works well with BBQ pork or as a rice side. You can also add cucumber and onions, or hot peppers for a little kick. They will keep for 4 weeks in the refrigerator.

 

MAKES 10 servings
PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 cups warm water
• ¾ cup rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons salt
• ½ pound carrots, julienned
• ½ pound daikon radish, julienned

 

Combine water, vinegar, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Stir until salt and sugar have dissolved.

Place carrots and daikon in a sterile jar. Pour vinegar mixture on top until vegetables are completely covered. Seal jar and refrigerate for at least 1 day, ideally 3 days.

 

What do you think of this recipe?
Have you made or eaten something similar?

Leave a comment below!
Share it with us on our social media
Email meghan@vibrant.farm

We love hearing stories from your kitchen!

 

Note: Recipe and photo borrowed from allrecipes.com

Looking to make a purchase with your CSA card on our website?
Here's a start-to-finish checklist to ensure you don't miss anything!

 

This is our favorite salad to make quickly for our farmer lunch. Colorful and bright, this salad packs a punch in flavor and appearance. The vinegar and mustard compliment the bitter greens, and the kohlrabi and fennel add a wonderful texture. Start with whisking the vinaigrette in the bottom of the salad bowl and then build the salad on top of it. 

Shop online from our live plants:
herbs, greens, spring veg! 

• Ordering opens Wednesday May 12th for on-farm pickup May 14
• Select the 'Plant Sale Pickup' at Checkout

What's Available:

• 4" Pots
• Herbs
• Oregano, Greek
• Basil, Greek 
• Basil, sweet Genovese 
• Basil, Thai 
• Sweet Marjoram 
• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme 
• Garlic Chives
• Lemongrass 
• Anise Hyssop
• Seasonal Veg
• Rhubarb, All Port 
• Rhubarb, Early Champagne
• Perennial Kale
• Flowers
• Bachelor's Button
• Marigold, Lemon Start
• Marigold, Red Gem
• Marigold, Giant Orange
• Marigold, Tangerine
• Mexican Tarragon
• Violet, Johnny Jump Ups
• Violet, Mixed Colors
• 6-packs
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Instant Garden Mixes, 6-pack Trays
• Greens, (x8) 6-packs
• Red lettuce (x1)
• Green lettuce (x1)
• Romaine (x2)
• Kale (x2)
• Cabbage (x1)
• Chard (x1)
• Spring Veg, (x8) 6-packs
• Broccoli (x1)
• Beets (x2) 
• Kohlrabi (x1)
• Fennel (x1)
• Celery (x1)
• Red Onion (x1)
• Yellow Onion (x1)
• Build Your Own Tray, (x8) 6-packs

 

As a vegetable farmer, I often find myself the fortune of having a lot of greens in my fridge. Whenever I'm looking for a quick hot meal that dips into the seemingly endless stash of greens, this is my go-to. 

In this recipe, the slightly bitter flavor of the leafy greens is offset with the sweetness of the coconut oil and the maple syrup in the Golden Turmeric Sauce. Garlic and ginger warm up the dish and boost its nutrition and flavor, which is so much better than a plate of plain steamed greens. The Golden Turmeric Sauce is a medley of creamy, earthy, tahini with hints of lemon, the subtle bite of garlic, and the heat of ginger that will make any vegetable taste truly delightful.

Pro tips
1. This Golden Turmeric Sauce is great for more than just greens!
2. Definitely make some rice to go along with this dish (or a grain of your choice).
3. Top dish with your favorite seeds for an extra boost. I love to use pepitas, sunflowers, and/or hemp seeds! 

 

Ingredients: Greens from Vibrant Farm, onion, garlic, lemon ginger, rice, olive oil, tahini, maple syrup, turmeric, salt, pepper.

 

The making of the turmeric sauce

 

Blended into its golden glory!

 

Get those onions translucent and those greens bright green before putting the sauce in the pan.

 

Mix sauce with greens and cook together until fragrant. Plate with your favorite grain. 

Recipes:

Greens n' Garlic Saute

MAKES 3-4 servings
PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 10 MINUTES

• 1 tbsp virgin coconut oil
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed & pressed
• 1 onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 inch ginger root, peeled, minced
• 1 bunch chopped Vibrant Farm Mustard Greens, Chard, Kale, Dandelion, or Collards
• 2-5oz Vibrant Farm Pea Shoots or Power Shoots
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• pinch of pepper

1. In a wide saucepan, heat the oil and add onion, garlic, & ginger. Saute until fragrant. 
2. Mix in coarsely chopped greens so they are coated in oil, garlic, and ginger. Cover pan and cook on low for 3-4 minutes, or until the greens are bright green and tender. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Make Golden Turmeric Sauce
4. Smother greens in Golden Turmeric Sauce and cook together for 1 more minute. 
5. Serve over rice or quinoa to make it a meal! 
6. Greens be stored in fridge in an airtight container for 4 days. 

 ~Flavor bonus~ simmer greens in organic chicken broth, bone broth, or veg broth for extra flavor!

 

Golden Turmeric Sauce

MAKES 3/4 CUP
PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES

• 3 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp tahini
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tsp maple syrup
• 1-2 tsp turmeric
• 1 inch peeled minced ginger root
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed and pressed
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• pinch pepper

1. Place all ingredients in food processor or blender, or vessel for immersion blender, and blend until smooth. 
2. Keep in airtight container in fridge up to 5 days.

 

Did you make this recipe?

Comment below!
Share it with us on our social media
Email meghan@vibrant.farm

We love hearing stories from your kitchen!

 

 

Disclaimer: This is an altered recipe from Farmers Meghan's current favorite cookbook, The Living Kitchen. 

You heard it right... Vibrant Farm is currently hiring for the 2021 season! While we will have more positions opening in the rapidly approaching summer months, we currently have 2 positions open beginning now in the spring of 2021. 

Job Titles:

Farm Hand, part time. 2 Positions available

• 1 opener

• 1 harvest, wash, pack

Job Summary:

Opener: assist in opening up greenhouse and performing morning chores including watering, seeding, nutrient management, other production-oriented tasks. Part time, mornings, flexible days, semi-flexible hours

 

Harvest, Wash, Pack: Assist in the harvest, washing and packing processes of field crops and microgreens for our various markets and customers. Part time with opportunities for more hours. Flexible days & hours - ideally one day Mon or Tues, and one or two days Wed-Fri to start. 

Qualifications & Skills:

• Punctual, considerate, enthusiastic, positive, consistent, mindful

• Preferred experience / connection with natural world, work with hands & mind

Pay & Benefits:

• $15-$20/hr based on experience and/or productivity 

• Share in Farmer Gleanings

• Participate in a team dedicated to craft farming and our community

• Catered experience with support based on your needs and goals

 

Please fill out this form and contact meghan@vibrant.farm with your resume. 

Thank you!

Caesar dressing is arguably one of the most popular salad dressings. But most people aren't whisking together raw eggs and anchovies themselves; no, they're buying a bottle of ready-made dressing that is loaded with unhealthy oils, additives, and sugars from the grocery store. 
This recipe is so simple, there's no excuse not to make your own fresh, zesty dressing at home, especially when it takes less than 5 minutes. This dressing pairs well with a fresh, crunchy microgreen salad!

7 minute read
published: 12/24/20
written by: Curtis 

This is the fourth and final of a four-part series describing the manner in which we farm.

Part 4: Good Gardening Practices

We’ve been gardeners for as long as we remember. Safe to say, we’ve never not been tending plants. Whether you're farming 6-acres or tending a few potted plants, we've found several unifying principles that help guide the ambitious towards fruitful abundance! 

Good gardening starts with mindfulness; think about what you are doing and do it with intention. Gardening helps when you need calm and can soothe anxiety, it can also be a workout and physical challenge. Understand your limitations, expectations, and desired outcomes. Manifest positivity and your desired outcomes in a garden and you will be rewarded!

Curtis preparing to plant giant pumpkins with compost and bioinoculants, 2020

Some of us are just here for fresh tomatoes, so practically speaking, how do we get more from our gardens or containers? (even if more means yield or personal satisfaction)

We believe healthy plants only achieve greatness when they live in diversity. By this we mean a diverse soil microbiome, a diverse plant microbiome (like the gut of the plant!), a diverse canopy, and other compatible plants. Nature is not as “dog eat dog” as we’re taught; Nature is absolutely full of diversity and cooperations. Diversity and cooperation within the soil and plant sphere creates synergy and levels of vitality, yield, adaptability, and resilience that can’t be replicated with conventional (what you see advertised at garden centers) gardening practices.

Diversity and cooperation within the soil and plant sphere creates synergy and levels of vitality, yield, adaptability, and resilience that can’t be replicated with conventional gardening practices.

So how do we achieve diversity?

The simplest thing is always to stop doing things that do not support the abundance of life. Stop regularly tilling your garden, it’s genocide to soil life. Stop planting in blocks, learn what grows well together, experiment! Stop using synthetic chemicals, synthetic or organic pesticides or fungicides, and broad based fertilizers. Stop leaving the soil bare, you can do better: grow plants or mulch it! 

These points all add up to suggest: be gentle with the soil, sow diversity, and nurture Nature!

Beds topdressed with compost after being tarped for several weeks, 2019

Most people can wrap their head around no synthetic chemicals with their food, but why no organic pesticides, fungicides?

Pests and disease are Nature's way of telling us what we’re doing wrong; they are teachers and harbingers of information. While the instinct may be to spray & destroy, this doesn’t get to the root of things. Instead, ask yourself: Why are larvae eating these leaves, why does this crop get moldy, what’s this fuzzy or oozing stuff?

Mineralogical imbalance, lack of natural competitors (due to pesticide use or lack of beneficial host plants?), water or temperature related stress, site selection; there are so many factors at play. We can control many aspects of these conditions which suggests that it is our responsibility to learn from pests and disease to improve our techniques instead of bowing down to the pesticide or chemical industry.

So just how do we achieve a balance between mineralogy, soil biology, plant biology, our growing conditions, and our skill sets?

Let's start with soil and growing conditions. Soil comprises mineralogical components, air, water, and an incomprehensibly diverse community of living organisms. As gardeners, we can amend the mineralogical components, alter the structure of the soil with tools or added materials, and we can affect the microbiome through feeding, inoculation, and the practices we partake. These elements all work in balance, but simply put, we want our soils to act like they do in Nature. We want to promote strong soil microbiota.

Soil microbiome as depicted from Nature.com

The soil microbiome is about the most complex and diverse ecosystems I’ve personally tried to comprehend. The savannah and woodland forests aboveground are all fairly observable. We see deer and trees, grasses and grazers. However, below every ecosystem is an extraordinary world of diverse species that support the aboveground plants and animals that we identify more readily with.

The relationship between the soil microbiome with plants and animals aboveground is integral, cooperative, and synergistic - they exist together. Plants rely on the soil microbiome to access nutrients and water and exchange gasses, enzymes, and other complex environmental components. The soil microbiome relies on plants to pump the energy they gain from sunlight into the soil. This cooperation is perpetual.

The relationship between the soil microbiome with plants and animals aboveground is integral, cooperative, and synergistic - they exist together.

Using Nature as our guide, how do we garden better?

• Keep the soil covered at all times - mulches, compost, live plants, leaf litter - keep it natural
• Use natural materials to feed soil microbiome - mulch, compost, seaweed, rock dusts, molasses, apple cider vinegar, raw milk, plant teas
• Reduce disturbance - no tilling, use competitive plants or soil coverings (mulch) for weed control,
• Learn from pests & disease - don’t be too quick to kill or spray, ask questions, learn and improve methods

This is the third of a four-part series describing the manner in which we farm. 

Every cultural practice (cultivation, trellising, protected culture, fertilization, etc.) affects the Mineral Balance, Soil Biology, and Plant Biome. These are three areas where we as growers must focus our management to produce crops at their fullest genetic potential. Read about our practices in more detail!